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Sunday, October 30, 2016

This year we first time attended We Movement event in Toronto. It was first WE Day Family designed to help families bring the power of change into their homes, raise caring and compassionate children, and to set them on a path to responsibility, fulfillment and success. In a world filled with anger, hate and loss We Day brings essential messages and encourages for the action to change the world for better. We need to teach kids how to solve problems, help others, be responsible for taken actions and build the future we really want to have.

WE Day Family featured inspirational families and speakers who with their life, actions and support show that everyone can be a change in this world. Nelly Furtado, Paula Abdul, Rick Hansen, Margaret Trudeau, Chris Hadfield, Joe Roberts and many others shared personal stories of leadership and achievements. Start from yourself, your school, your community, volunteer, act, research and lead. I like that WE Day Family shows it to lead by example so that the families, parents and kids see what they can do for their community and they are not alone in their endeavors. While we are setting our kids to success WE Day Family brings a powerful message that there’s more to life than marks and physical possessions and it takes more than money to make the world go around.

Everything starts from the family, if we want to change anything in the country, school, community, life it is where positive things take the first step.

During WE Day Family event we heard lots of stories, some of them inspiring and already making a huge impact but other ones were quite sad and eye-opening to show that we should follow that path and acknowledge that it is our hands to build better future for us and our children.

While the event is over, everyone left for their homes and families, the most important is to keep the spark and take it to everyday life. I like that WE Day offers resources for families on how you can incorporate positive changes in your life, check their website. There are so many things can be made to make your life better, from getting up early, helping your neighbors, volunteering and much more. Lots of activities require only your sincere wish to move on and participate. There are also opportunities to support the Movement by donating, buying unique merchandise or joining WE trips.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Fall is a wonderful season to see how leaves change colors, the weather gets colder and children can’t wait for Halloween to come, trying on costumes, decorating rooms and carving pumpkins. There are lots of family friendly activities in Toronto area during fall season. If you get some warm days just before Halloween you can visit Black Creek Pioneer Village. Every year the Village hosts colorful Howling Hootenanny, two weekends before the Halloween. Last week the weather was sunny so we decided to visit Black Creek Pioneer Village as a whole family. We also invited our grandfather to enjoy outdoor and participate in activities the Village offers to visitors this season.

Teddy dressed up as Batman and was ready to have fun. The weather was a little cool but Black Creek Pioneer Village had many visitors. It was nice to see kids in costumes excited about being at the Village. Howling Hootenanny event is packed with activities from 11 am to 4:30 pm. Teddy joined Pumpkin Decoration then we all watched The Creepy Creature Show at the Town Hall where we were introduced to some really creepy animals, but most of them everyone knows like an owl, snake and skunk ( it was there!).

The Haunted Maze which is located just behind the Town Hall is pretty scary place to be. I can only imagine how horrifying Halloween was during the times without electricity. Then we joined AbracaDracula Magic interactive show, I think kids loved it so much, all magical tricks and the outcome. After the show we walked through the Village visiting its houses and enjoying outdoor decorations. There were lots of beautiful trees around. Kids had fun playing with colorful leaves, which covered land as a floor. Teddy tried first time Apple Sling Shot in the Valley trying to hit pumpkin stands set up down the hill. It was quite challenging for him but fun for sure.

One of activities for kids at the Village was making Trick or Treat Bag, Teddy used when visiting the houses to collect candies.
We stayed almost till closing and Teddy did not want to leave the Village asking for more activities.

We had a busy time there and enjoyed the event to the fullest. Next Black Creek Pioneer VillageHowling Hootenanny will continue on October 29 and 30. Only there you can get back in time and see how Halloween was celebrated by Pioneers and listen their spooky superstitions. Plus do not miss The Fire Guy who is going to perform this upcoming week-end only.

Tickets are $15.00 for adults, $11.00 for kids, $12.00 for Students and Seniors.
Location: Black Creek Pioneer Village - 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy, North York, ON M3J 2P3, Canada

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Holidays is fast approaching and hot new releases are about to hit the big screen. At the beginning of November join highly anticipated Doctor Strange, new superhero movie filled with mystery, science and medical knowledge.

From Marvel Studios comes "Doctor Strange," the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing, and hope, in an unlikely place—a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange—armed with newly acquired magical powers—is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.

Join Strange on his dangerous, mystifying, and totally mind-bending journey when Marvel Studios’ "Doctor Strange" opens in theaters in 3D across Canada on November 4, 2016.

For our readers we bring an opportunity to win advance screening to the movie taking place on November 2nd in the following Canadian cities thanks to Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Canada:

Friday, October 21, 2016

We have various coloring books so that Teddy can spend some time with his favorite characters. We travelled a lot and bought him coloring books of gladiators at Coliseum in Rome, soldiers at The War Museum in Paris and many other books. Teddy was not much into coloring since he prefers to draw and color his own creations until he had a chance to put his hand on Painting Lulu’s Paper-to-Digital Coloring Set. He was very excited to try this combination of paper book turning into digital using special coloring application.

We received My Little Pony and small Angry Birds coloring sets for Teddy to try and see how it works. The first set included paper coloring book and a crayon stylus. The second one, Angry Bird included one mini coloring book and a set of regular crayons. Children can color their favorite characters on paper and then using Painting Lulu application scan their pictures and continue working on their creations adding extra colors, changing them or adding extra digital effects. Then they can save their pictures or e-mail them to family or friends. All those features available in the Painting Luluapp. Teddy started with My Little Pony book coloring Twilight Sparkle and then he scanned it using his tablet and continued coloring it adding background color and extra digital effects. Teddy likes the abundance of colors he can choose in the digital app and the ability to play with the thickness of the stylus in the application when focusing on smaller parts or when coloring bigger ones.

Right now more books featuring Barbie, Hot Wheels, Transformers Rescue Bots, Tonka, Angry Birds the Movie, Batman, Scooby-Doo and DC Super Friends are available for kids to enjoy paper-digital journey from Painting Lulu. Designed for children ages 3 and up, sets contains a paper coloring book, traditional crayons, a stylus, and a free coloring App Painting Lulu. All coloring sets include a code that unlocks the digital version inside the App. The app is available for Amazon, iOS, and Android devices.

Now our boy has a wonderful set to apply his creativity along with coloring books. Teddy likes the option of creating selfies using his pictures. It is easy to go from real world to digital with just one button click. Using Painting Lulu, children can learn many things, from drawing skills to focusing and building their confidence. Right now Teddy invented a fun task to name all colors in French.

For more information about amazing coloring sets, I am sure the themes and number of books continue to grow, check Painting Lulu web site.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Blinky Bill is a little koala with a big imagination. He lives in little town of Green Patch with his mom and dad and has lots of friends. Being adventurer at heart same as his dad, Blinky Bill dreams of leaving his little town and following in his missing father. Mr. Bill went missing in the Outback some time ago and Blinky is the only one who believes his father is still alive. Leaving native town is not very easy as Blinky has to leave his mom and friends. But he watch to see his dad back, and he assumes that Mr. Bill is in danger and needs help. While Blinky's dad is away, the small town is danger as mischievous reptile wants to take over and control the town. It even put the Statue of Lizarty to show that reptiles now control the town. Everyone wants Mr.Bill back.

When Blinky discovers a mysterious marker that hints at his dad’s whereabouts, he embarks on a journey that takes him beyond the boundary of Green Patch and into the wild and dangerous Outback. He quickly makes friends with Nutsy, a zoo koala, and Jacko, a nervous frill-necked lizard. Pursued relentlessly by a vengeful cat who has a personal score to settle with Blinky, the trio must learn to work together if they ever want to survive the rugged Australian landscape and find Blinky’s father.

Blinky Bill is brave, smart and adventurous little koala, who loves making new friends, always ready to help and the most important find the find a way out of any difficult situation when seems nothing can be done.

We watched the movie with Teddy and he liked it so much. Blinky Bill has lots of interesting turnarounds, plus you feel that you are in Australia: nature, animals and landscape. Both Blinky and his dad loves adventures. Mr. Bill thought many things to Blinky so that he can survive himself and help others. And the most important lesson little koala learned is never give up, that's why Blinky finally found his dad. In the movie Teddy likes Blinky's dad, may be because he knows many things about how to do various things.

Adventures of the world-famous Australian koala Blinky Bill is now available in new release Blinky Bill: The Movie. It is out on Blu-ray, DVD and all major Digital platforms this month from Shout! Factory Kids. Lovely animated movie for the whole family to watch.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life movie which now playing in theatres follows adventures of Rafe Khatchadorian, who finds creative ways to deal with bullies, tyrannical Principal Dwight and their supporters. Though Teddy is now at Elementary School, he thinks the movie is totally fun. Every school is a mini-world with own rules, schedules, movements and interactions. One day Rafe along with his friend Leo decide to say no to oppressive, creativity-killing middle school and compose the plan who to break every rule the school so forcefully imposed on student. With multiple ups and downs the battle with Principal Dwight is taken to the level when no one at school can't ignore that new revolution is taking over and old rules do not work any more.

One of the scene in the movie when Principal Dwight's room and the school walls are decorated with post-it notes. Not sure how long it took for them to do so, you need to be patient to finish it. To celebrate the creativity in any form we also decided to create our own mural. Teddy likes Yo-Kai Watch characters so his choice became cat Hovernyan. This year Teddy joined Graffiti classes in his art school so re-creating the cat on the wall was a good practice for him. Besides working simply with rectangular and square pieces, the most challenging for him was sizes and proportions. Teddy first drew the cat on the wall and then using Stickies came to final piece. He said that we were making Minecraft but in real world. The whole process was totally fun and tedious too. Besides wall art we also liked the animation pieces, popping up here and there in Middle School movie.

Based on the bestselling children’s novel, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life, which has been a hit with students for years. The movie keeps the book's sense of humour and playfulness while at the same time keeping all the life lessons learned that are so important in the original text. Now you can watch Rafe's revolution leaps from the book page to the big screen in this hilarious live-action and animated comedy based on the New York Times bestseller written by legendary novelist James Patterson.

To celebrate the movie release and creativity, we are also happy to giveaway a set of post-it notes to two our lucky readers thanks to Entertainment One. The winners will be able to use Stickies to create their own wall art or other pieces.

The giveaway is open to Canadian residents only & ends October 29. For your chance simply fill the Rafflecopter Form below.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

I never being too much into politics, but these days the whole world is looking into the future and asking who is going to be next president of United States. Debates and discussions are all over the media about the past of candidates, their programs and election campaigns. To take the presidential election to a new level, The TeaBook decided to design new set of PoliTEAcal Teas to reflect the image, past and the present of the candidates. The PoliTEAcal series introduces Hillary Clinton Collection is called Hillary ClinTEAn and Donald Trump tea called Donald TEArump. This limited edition sets can make a perfect gift for someone who likes politics, political talks and discussions. The PoliTEAcal series presents amazing art, satire, and delicious organic tea designed by professional artists.

Each tea bag in the collection has from nine to eleven references to the candidates and their campaign, so you take a look and may be find the ones. From taste perspective I can tell you that both tea collections are amazing. Organic, quality tea to enjoy not only when watching debates or some during political discussions and gatherings. Donald TEArump tea is Pure White Tea with Peach Flavor and Hillary ClinTEAn is Vanilla Essence Black Tea.

No matter how silly or sarcastic the tea looks like, the time for the final election is fast approaching. Seeing that even tea joins political run only proves how serious these elections are. Hopefully the years of the presidency of the elected candidate will be as good as The TeaBookPoliTEAcal collection.

The TeaBook is generously offering our US readers to save 15% of at their store with family15 coupon code on The PoliTEAcal limited edition collection.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FRAMFresh #CollectiveBias

When it comes to vehicle maintenance we are very serious about that. Our previous car was not in very good hands and I was not savvy about all the ups and downs of car’s inner world. Through the years I found that it is not difficult to take care of your car, just do everything on time, according to the season and follow the instructions. After learning how to change tires and check tire pressure I am very excited to take my car knowledge to the next level and find out how to change air filters. It is also the perfect way to impress car professionals in our family. Just recently I learned that a car has a cabin air filter, up to 80% of vehicles released since 2000 has one.

We spend lots of time in a car driving to work, school, going shopping and taking road trips. We want to make sure the air in our car clean and fresh because we have kids and seniors with us. In fall when we are back to school and have to drive almost every day, dust, allergens and dirt can pass through car’s ventilating systems and make a significant impact on our health.

I went to Canadian Tire and bought FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter and FRAM Engine Air Filter for our car. The store has wide selections of FRAM filters to fit most car types and models. The aisle has a manual attached to help you find the filters for exact car model. Luckily, my shop assistant found the FRAM filters for my Honda in seconds. I like that FRAM Fresh Breeze is the only cabin air filter based on the natural deodorizing qualities of Arm & Hammer baking soda to absorb and eliminate odors. With our family respiratory problems we try to use natural deodorizing products.

Installing FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter is very easy, at least for our Honda. You can finish everything in five minutes (may be more depends on a car) and all you need is a filter and your hands.

Here are the instructions how to change FRAM Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter:

Step 1: Open the glove compartment, it is in front of passenger seat.

Step 2: Push the glove compartment down so that you can see clearly see what is behind it.

Step 3: Locate the cabin filter tray. It is above the Air Flow set and has rectangular shape. Unlock the cover by pressing inward on the left and right side tabs at the same time and remove by pulling the tray straight out towards you.

Step 4: Remove the dirty filter from the tray.

Step 5: Put the new filter in the filter tray, make sure it is completely seated; otherwise you will not be able to close the cover.

Step 6: Put back the cover by pressing inward on the left and right side tabs.

Step 7: Close glove compartment.
It was as easy as that.

FRAM recommends changing your cabin air filter annually or every 24,000 km, but always follow recommended change intervals as noted in your vehicle owner’s manual. Changing regularly cabin filter and engine filters not only improves car performance as less dirt and dust entering and damaging the engine but also cleans the air inside your vehicle.

Talking about the car engine, clean air filter can increase acceleration, horsepower, and improve engine performance. Installing FRAM Engine Air Filter takes about five minutes of your time and the results can change your driving experience for better. Experts at FRAM engineering laboratories recommend changing engine filter every 12,000 miles, but follow recommended change intervals as noted in your vehicle owner’s manual. Since our car already passed the recommended interval (we checked the manual), we changed our engine filter to reduce wear and maximize the life and performance of the engine.

Cabin Air Filter and Engine Air Filter are very important for car maintenance. It is a good practice to change both filters at the same time. They can be easily found in one section at Canadian Tire store. Still not sure if you can do the same for your vehicle? Check out tricks for changing out your filters here!

Thursday, October 6, 2016

In September we attended Yo-kai Watch 2 to celebrate the upcoming release of Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits and Yo-kai Watch 2: Fleshy Souls video games. Yo-kai Watch became extremely popular in gaming world that Nintendo decided to expand horizons and bring fans even more exciting experience. Yo-kai are real folks representing everyday problems, and they live everywhere in our world, you just can’t see them. Some of them good, but there are bad ones too. To be able to see Yo-kai you need to have a special watch and with its power you can find and friend them. New games release brings even more Yo-kai to be discovered. When you become friends with Yo-kai, they can give you their Medal so that you can use it in the watch during Yo-kai battles.

We had a chance to watch first episode of the Yo-kai Watch season 2 anime series. I think Teddy only remembers Jibanyan, Whisper and Hovernyan from the series. The new series of YO-KAI WATCH premieres this month on Teletoon. During the event we played new games, took picture with Jibanyan and checked new toys from Hasbro along with new Yo-kai Watch.

New games bring new opportunities, now gamers can find, befriend, and battle more than 350 new and returning Yo-kai. Cat Hovernyan becomes your time travel buddy, join it to go on adventures and discover the origin of the Yo-kai Watch, save Springdale and meet more Yo-kai. The games also feature 4 players action-based local game mode and allow 2-player multiplayer battles via Internet or Wi-Fi.

For the first time, you can now battle friends on the internet! You can also trade Yo-kai Medals and even team up and play co-op multiplayer in Yo-kai Watch Blasters Mode on Nintendo 3DS family of systems. The games now available in Canada.

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About me

My name is Faniya and I am Mommy to lovely little boy Teddy. Together we love to go out, be active and explore this amazing world every single day. Join our stories, adventures and discoveries. You can contact me via e-mail: info@teddyoutready.com. Always love to talk.